Soccer training device

ABSTRACT

A soccer training device has a deployment trough defining a ball support surface for supporting a plurality of soccer balls, at least one sidewall, a deployment opening, and a back end opposite the deployment opening. The sidewall(s) of the deployment trough are constructed and arranged to restrain soccer balls between the deployment opening and the back end of the deployment trough. The training device has a plurality of legs connected to the deployment trough to suspend the deployment trough at a height above ground level. The training device has a release guide connected to the deployment trough proximate to the deployment opening. The release guide has a rolling surface and extends from the deployment trough. The release guide is constructed and arranged to guide each soccer ball from the deployment trough to the ground along the rolling surface.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication No. 61/446,231, filed on Feb. 24, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to sports training devices, and more particularly,to an apparatus to improve the efficiency of soccer training drills.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Soccer is a popular sport throughout the world. For example in theUnited States, organized soccer is the most heavily participatedorganized sport for children. There are thousands of various publicsoccer leagues throughout the country that children may join. Becausethe popularity of organized soccer for youth is so high and part of thispopularity is due to the inexpensive nature of the sport, professionalsoccer coaches are typically not employed and youth soccer teams aretypically coached by one or more of the children's parents.

Since youth soccer participants are typically not as skilled as older ormore experienced players, coaches designate a significant amount ofpractice time to developing fundamental skills including passing,dribbling, and shooting. It can be hectic to have all of the youthsoccer participants practicing at the same time. Accordingly, theplayers are often arranged into one or more lines so that they canpractice these skills sequentially to allow the coach to pay attentionto each child as they perform the skill.

Often these types of line drills involve the coach rolling a soccer ballto each player at the front of the line so that the player can receivethe ball and practice the designated skill.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Unfortunately there are deficiencies to the above described conventionalsoccer practice techniques. For example, the handling of multiple soccerballs can be cumbersome for a coach supervising line drills. The coachis forced to either enlist additional help (e.g., assistant coaches) toassist in the gathering and deployment of soccer balls to the soccerplayers in line or slow down the pace of practice to gather and releasethe balls in an inefficient manner. Additional assistant coaches are notalways available and inefficient ball deployment can result in thechildren failing to practice their basic skills enough during theallotted soccer practice.

Another deficiency to the above described conventional soccer practicetechniques is that the coach is forced to be in the location of wherethe soccer balls are being deployed. This means that the coach would beunable to be in other positions, such as next to one of the players tooversee that the soccer skill is being performed adequately.

What is needed, therefore, is a training device to hold and releasemultiple soccer balls to the same location at a rapid pace and while thecoach is either at a proximate or distant position relative to thetraining device. Additionally, the training device should be of asimple, portable, and inexpensive construction because soccer coachesare usually volunteers with limited funds and cargo space.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a soccer trainingdevice that is configured as a collapsible structure.

It is an object of the present invention is to provide a device that canhold multiple soccer balls for release to a consistent location.

It is an object of the present invention is to improve the efficiency ofsoccer practice.

It is an object of the present invention is to provide a device thatreduces the need for additional people in order to conduct soccerpractice drills.

The present invention achieves these and other objectives by providing asoccer training device that has a deployment trough defining a ballsupport surface for supporting a plurality of soccer balls, at least onesidewall, a deployment opening, and a back end opposite the deploymentopening. The sidewall(s) of the deployment trough are constructed andarranged to restrain multiple soccer balls between the back end of thedeployment trough and the deployment opening. A plurality of legs areconnected to the deployment trough, to suspend the deployment trough ata height above ground level. The plurality of legs include at least onefront leg positioned proximate to the deployment opening and at leastone back leg positioned proximate to the back end. The device has arelease guide connected to the deployment trough proximate to thedeployment opening. The release guide extends from the deployment troughand has a rolling surface. The release guide is constructed and arrangedto guide each of the soccer balls from the deployment trough to theground along the rolling surface.

In another embodiment of the invention, the soccer training device atleast one of the legs is pivotably connected to the deployment trough.In another embodiment of the invention, the soccer training device hasat least one legs coupler fixedly attached to the soccer ball deploymenttrough. At least one of the plurality of legs is pivotably attached to alegs coupler.

In another embodiment of the invention, at least one of the plurality oflegs has an adjustable length.

In another embodiment of the invention, the soccer training device has aremovable angle restrainer connected between two adjacent ones of theplurality of legs. In another embodiment of the invention, the removableangle restrainer is a string, rope, a chain, a bar, or a flexibleligature.

In another embodiment of the invention, the adjustable length is fixedwith a device such as a threaded collar, a threaded bolt, a threadednut, a pin, a locking lever, a spring-loaded plunger, or a clamp.

In another embodiment of the invention, the release guide is a ramp, achute, a tube, or a plurality of parallel bars. In another embodiment ofthe invention, the release guide is connected to the deployment troughwith a device such as a hinge, a bracket, a catch, a hook, or afastener.

In another embodiment of the invention, the soccer training device has aball gate connected to the deployment trough proximate to the deploymentopening. The ball gate is adjustable between an open position, where theball gate blocks the deployment opening to the plurality of soccerballs, and a closed position, where the deployment opening is open tothe plurality of soccer balls. In another embodiment of the invention,the ball gate is capable of adjustment between the open position and theclosed position with a device such as a rope, a lever arm, or radiocontrol.

In another embodiment of the invention, a ball-stop device is connectedto the deployment trough. The ball-stop device is configured to inhibitpassage of the plurality of soccer balls through the deployment opening.In another embodiment of the invention, the ball-stop device is aprotrusion, a ridge, a bracket, a fringed member, or a narrowed gapbetween opposing sidewalls. In another embodiment of the invention, theball-stop device is selectively adjustable between an active position,where the ball-stop device engages at least one of the plurality ofsoccer balls, and an inactive position, where the ball-stop device doesnot engage the plurality of the plurality of soccer balls.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of a soccer training device.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the soccer training device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 a is a side view of a portion of an embodiment of a soccertraining device equipped with optional legs couplers and anglerestrainers as may be used to achieve a first position.

FIG. 3 b is a side view of a portion of the embodiment of a soccertraining device shown in FIG. 3 a as may be used to achieve a secondposition.

FIG. 3 c is a side view of a portion of the embodiment of a soccertraining device shown in FIG. 3 a as may be used to achieve a thirdposition.

FIG. 4 a is a side view of a portion of an alternate embodiment of asoccer training device equipped with optional adjustable length legs asmay be used to achieve a first position.

FIG. 4 b is a side view of a portion of the alternate embodiment of asoccer training device shown in FIG. 4 a as may be used to achieve asecond position.

FIG. 4 c is a side view of a portion of the alternate embodiment of asoccer training device shown in FIG. 4 a as may be used to achieve athird position.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a portion of an alternate embodiment of asoccer training device equipped with a ball gate.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a portion of an alternate embodiment of a soccertraining device equipped with various embodiments of a ball-stop device.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the soccer training device of FIG. 1 in acollapsed storage position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A soccer training device provides a collapsible structure that can holdmultiple soccer balls and release them rapidly to the same location. Byrapidly releasing the soccer balls, the efficiency of soccer practice isimproved so that additional drills can be performed in the allottedpractice time. Additionally, by holding and releasing multiple soccerballs, additional assistant coaches do not need to be enlisted toconduct soccer practice.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a soccer training device 20 and a plurality ofsoccer balls 28 (i.e., one or more soccer balls 28). The soccer trainingdevice 20 includes a soccer ball deployment trough 22, a plurality oflegs 24, and a soccer ball release guide 26. The soccer ball deploymenttrough 22 includes a back end 38, one or more sidewalls 40 a, 40 b, adeployment opening 42, and a ball support surface 29 to support aplurality of soccer balls. Ball support surface 29 may be a planarsurface, such as a metal sheet or mesh, or a plurality of substantiallyparallel bars spaced to support a soccer ball and connected togetherwith cross pieces or “ribs” (not shown).

As seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, one embodiment of the soccer trainingdevice has a pair of sidewalls 40 a, 40 b, which extend upwardly fromball support surface 29 (e.g., floor) of trough 22. In otherembodiments, trough 22 has only one sidewall 40 a. In such anembodiment, soccer balls 28 are retained in trough 22 by biasing balls28 towards sidewall 40 a. By incorporating a sloping ball supportsurface 29, or by tilting trough towards one side, soccer balls 28 arebiased by gravity against sidewall 40 a.

The plurality (or set) of adjustable legs 24 connect to a bottom portionor base 25 of deployment trough 22 to elevate trough 22 above groundlevel. Legs 24 are preferably adjustable in position, length, or both.The adjustable feature of legs 24 enable deployment trough 22 to besuspended at a variety of different heights and angles relative to theground. For example, in one embodiment, the height range of deploymenttrough 22 is adjustable between waist and chest height (i.e., betweenabout 30″ and about 48″ above ground).

Soccer ball release guide 26 connects to deployment trough 22 at or neardeployment opening 42 and extends towards ground level. Release guide 26is attached to the deployment trough 22 in any suitable way, including ahinge, a bracket, a catch, or one or more fasteners. An end of releaseguide may also simply rest upon ball support surface 29 at opening 42 oftrough 22, which may be facilitated by a tongue or other feature (notshown) on trough 22 and/or guide 26. In the preferred embodiment, guide26 attaches to trough 22 at or near opening 42 with a hinge. Becauseguide 26 may pivot up and down, this arrangement enables thenon-attached side of release guide 26 to lay at ground level regardlessof the height of deployment trough 22. In one embodiment, the hinge is aseparating or “lift apart” hinge. In this way, release guide 26 can bepivotably attached to trough 22 during use, but removed for storage.Additionally, while release guide 26 is depicted as a slide or ramp inFIG. 1 and FIG. 2, any suitable alternative may be used, including achute, tube, two or more parallel bars, and the like.

Multiple soccer balls 28 may be disposed within deployment trough 22 ina preferably linear fashion between the back end 38 and deploymentopening 42. In one embodiment, the gap 42 a between sidewall 40 a andsidewall 40 b is slightly larger than the diameter of soccer ball 28.Accordingly, soccer balls 28 are substantially maintained in a straightline by sidewalls 40 a, 40 b. Soccer balls 28 come in different sizes(e.g., sizes 3, 4 and 5). In some arrangements gap 42 a between thesidewalls 40 a, 40 b is based on the diameter of the largest size soccerball (i.e., a size 5 soccer ball) so that soccer balls of all sizes canbe accommodated. However in other arrangements, gap 42 a betweensidewalls 40 a, 40 b is based on the diameter of the soccer ball 28 usedfor the particular age group of the soccer team. Additionally, thelength of the deployment trough 22 between back end 38 and deploymentopening 42 is typically long enough to hold multiple soccer balls butshort enough to be easily transportable. For example, in somearrangements, the length of deployment trough 22 is long enough to holdsix to ten soccer balls 28.

In some embodiments, deployment trough 22 has a more open shape thatpermits trough 22 to hold more balls 28 than can be held when balls 28are arranged in a line. For example, trough 22 may have outwardly-curvedsidewalls 40 a, 40 b that, together with back wall 38′ at back end 38 oftrough 22, enclose an oval, rectangle, kidney shape, or some other shapecapable of holding more soccer balls 28 than balls 28 in a lineararrangement. Depending on the shape of trough 22, back wall 38′ may notbe needed. For example, ball support surface (e.g., the floor) of trough22 may curve upwardly at back end 38 to contain soccer balls 28.Alternately, sidewalls 40 a, 40 b may taper towards each other toprevent soccer balls 28 from exiting back end 38 of device 20.

When one or more soccer balls 28 are released from deployment trough 22,each soccer ball 28 passes through deployment opening 42 and downrelease guide 26 towards ground level (this is depicted by arrow 44).

FIGS. 3 a-3 c and 4 a-4 c show example embodiments of the plurality ofadjustable legs 24. The plurality of adjustable legs 24 includes a setof front legs 30 and a set of back legs 32. Soccer training device 20preferably has two pair of legs 30, 32 for optimal stability. However, atotal of three legs 24 may be used to support trough 22. Alternately, anappropriately-configured release guide 26 may take the place of a leg 24or set of legs 24 to support trough 22.

In some arrangements, set of front legs 30 and set of back legs 32attach to the deployment trough 22 via a legs coupler 34. In otherarrangements, the set of front legs 30 and the set of back legs 32attach directly to the deployment trough 22. Legs coupler 34 may be ofany suitable form to provide a sturdy attachment. However, the preferredembodiment incorporates a pivotable legs coupler 34 to allow positionaladjustment of the legs 24 and, when device 20 is not in use, to allowlegs 24 to be folded up against deployment trough 22 for convenientstorage and transportation (see FIG. 6).

As seen in FIGS. 3 a-3 c, one embodiment incorporates legs 30, 32 thatare capable of angular adjustment. In this embodiment, the height of theset of front legs 30 is adjusted by changing the angle between each ofthe front legs 30. While the overall length of each front leg 30 remainsconstant, (i) a wider angle between each of front legs 30 creates asmaller vertical distance between the suspended deployment trough 22connection point and ground level, and (ii) a narrower angle betweeneach of front legs 30 creates a larger vertical distance between thesuspended deployment trough 22 connection point and ground level.

Similarly, in this embodiment, the height of the set of back legs 32 isadjusted by changing the angle between each of back legs 32. While theoverall length of each individual of back legs 32 remains constant, (i)a wider angle between each of the back legs 32 creates a smallervertical distance between the suspended deployment trough 22 connectionpoint and ground level, and (ii) a narrower angle between each of backlegs 32 creates a larger vertical distance between the suspendeddeployment trough 22 connection point and ground level.

The adjusted angle between each of front legs 30 and between each ofback legs 32 is preserved at the adjusted level by an angle restrainer46. Angle restrainer 46 may be of any suitable form to adjustably fixthe length between attachment points on each of front legs 30 or each ofback legs 32. Examples of angle restrainers include a string, rope, orchain connected between the legs; a bar that connects between orattaches removably to front legs 30 and/or back legs 32; a flexibleligature connected between front legs 30 and/or back legs 32, such as arubber connector with eyelets to engage a hook, pin, or other feature onthe legs; threaded bolts, and the like.

As seen in FIGS. 4 a-4 c, another embodiment of device 20 incorporatesadjustable length legs 30, 32. In this embodiment, the height of frontlegs 30 is adjusted by changing the overall length each of front legs30. While the overall angle between front legs 30 remains constant, (i)a shorter overall length for each of front legs 30 creates a smallervertical distance between the suspended deployment trough 22 connectionpoint and ground level, and (ii) a longer overall length for each offront legs 30 creates a larger vertical distance between suspendeddeployment trough 22 connection point and ground level.

Similarly, in this embodiment, the height of back legs 32 is adjusted bychanging the overall length each of each of back legs 32. While theoverall angle between back legs 32 remains constant, (i) a shorteroverall length for each of back legs 32 creates a shorter verticaldistance between suspended deployment trough 22 connection point andground level, and (ii) a longer overall length for each of back legs 32creates a longer distance between suspended deployment trough 22connection point and ground level.

The adjusted length for each of the front legs 30 and back legs 32 ispreserved at the adjusted level by a length restrainer 48. Lengthrestrainer 48 may be of any suitable form to adjustably fix the lengthfor each of front legs 30 and each of back legs 32. Example lengthrestrainers 48 include telescopic tighteners (e.g., a threaded collar),threaded fasteners (bolt, screw, nut, etc.), a pin passing through ahole in a leg, a locking lever, a spring-loaded plunger andcorresponding opening, and a clamp.

As seen in FIGS. 3 a-3 c and FIGS. 4 a-4 c, the heights of front legs 30and back legs 32 may be independently adjusted from each other. Thisindependent height adjustment allows for deployment trough 22 to be at avariety of different angles with respect to ground level. For example asseen in FIG. 3 a and FIG. 4 a, the heights of front legs 30 and backlegs 32 are maintained at the same level. This arrangement results indeployment trough 22 being parallel to ground level, and the force ofgravity does not bias soccer balls 28 held in trough 22 towards eitherdeployment opening 42 or back wall 38′.

Additionally, as seen in FIG. 3 b and FIG. 4 b, the height of front legs30 is adjusted to be at a lower level than back legs 32. Thisarrangement results in deployment trough 22 being non-parallel to groundlevel, and the force of gravity biases soccer balls 28 held in trough 22towards deployment opening 42. With soccer balls 28 biased in this way,soccer balls 28 roll down release guide 26 unless a user (e.g., thesoccer coach) holds balls 28 or trough 22 is equipped with a ball gate50 (discussed below) or other device to prevent or control release ofballs 28.

Similarly, as seen in FIG. 3 c and FIG. 4 c, the height of front legs 30is adjusted to be at a higher level than back legs 32. This arrangementresults in deployment trough 22 being non-parallel to ground level andthe force of gravity biases soccer balls 28 held in trough 22 towardsback end 38 or back wall 38′. With soccer balls 28 biased in this way,soccer balls 28 roll toward back end 38 of deployment trough 22 toremain in trough 22 unless a user (e.g., the soccer coach) pushes balls28 forward toward release guide 26 to release balls 28 along releaseguide 26.

FIG. 5 shows an optional ball gate 50 that is constructed and arrangedto (i) prevent soccer balls 28 from passing through deployment opening42 when ball gate 50 is in a closed position and (ii) freely allowsoccer balls to pass through deployment opening 42 when ball gate 50 isin an open position. Ball gate 50 may be any suitable device thattoggles between open and closed positions. In some arrangements, ballgate 50 is configured to allow a user to toggle ball gate 50 betweenopen and closed positions at a remote distance from training device 20.Example methods for remote control include a rope tied to the gate 50,an elongated lever arm attached to the gate 50, radio controlledmechanism that controls the opening and closing of gate 50, and thelike. For example, a hand-held transmitter may be used to communicate asignal to an electronic switch located in trough 22 to control operationof ball gate 50. In other arrangements, ball gate 50 is configured toallow a user to directly toggle ball gate 50 between open and closedpositions, by, for example, moving a lever attached to ball gate 50 ordirect contact with ball gate 50.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a trough 22 of soccer trainingdevice 20 that optionally includes various embodiments of a ball-stopdevice 70. Ball-stop device 70 may be any physical obstruction thatinhibits or prevents soccer balls 28 from freely passing throughdeployment opening 42.

In one embodiment of ball-stop device 70, a ridge or protrusion intrough 22 is positioned proximate to opening 42 and extends fromsidewall 40 b of trough 22. Ball-stop device 70 may also be a protrusionthat extends from both sidewalls 40 a, 40 b, and/or from the ballsupport surface 29 (i.e., floor) of trough 22. Similar to a parkingblock, a ball-stop device 70 configured as a protrusion inhibits soccerball 28 from passing through opening 42. In an embodiment whereball-stop device 70 is a protrusion extending upward from floor 29 oftrough 22, soccer balls 28 will be retained unless training device 20 ispositioned at a steep angle towards the ground to provide sufficientgravitational force to overcome the resistance of ball-stop device 70.Alternately, the user may overcome ball-stop device 70 by pushing orrolling soccer ball 28 past ball-stop device 70. After overcoming theresistance of ball-stop device 70, soccer ball 28 proceeds pastball-stop device 70 and through opening 42 to release guide 26. Similarto ball gate 50, ball-stop device 70 may be configured to be actuatedbetween multiple positions (e.g., an active (blocking) position, anintermediate position (partially-blocking) and an inactive(non-blocking) position). For example, ball-stop device 70 may be movedbetween an active position and an inactive position as indicated byarrow 74. Examples of ball-stop device 70 include a bump, ridge,protrusion, flexible barrier, or frictional engagement with ball 28.

In one embodiment of ball-stop device 70, a frictional force is providedby a narrowing gap 42 a between sidewalls 40 a, 40 b proximate toopening 42. Gap 42 a may narrow, for example, by shaping sidewalls 40 a,40 b to taper towards each other as they reach opening 42. As the gap 42a narrows, sidewalls 40 a, 40 b engage soccer ball 28. Due to the ball'sability to change shape or be compressed, the ball may be forced throughnarrowed gap 42 a to pass through opening 42. In another embodiment,sidewalls 40 a, 40 b are flexible and resilient at sidewall ends 41 a,41 b proximate to opening 42. With sufficient force acting against thenatural bias of sidewalls ends 41 a, 41 b, this flexibility andresiliency permits sufficient lateral deflection of sidewall ends 41 a,41 b of sidewalls to allow ball 28 to pass and then return to anarrowed-gap state. For example, as walls 40 a, 40 b extend towardsopening 42, gap 42 a between them reduces or tapers to less than thediameter of soccer ball 28. The flexibility and resiliency of sidewallends 41 a, 41 b allows ball 28 to laterally deflect the sidewall ends 41a, 41 b to increase the size of gap 42 a and allow ball 28 to pass. Assidewall ends 41 a, 41 b return to their narrowed-gap position, thesidewall ends 41 a, 41 b inhibit the next ball 28 in line from passingthrough opening 42.

In another embodiment, gap 42 a narrows due to a bracket 43 or otherdevice attached to the inside surfaces 40 a′, 40 b′ of one or bothsidewalls 40 a, 40 b, respectively. Other devices include fringe(similar to a brush or broom) attached to one or both inside surfaces 40a′, 40 b′ of sidewalls 40 a, 40 b, respectively; a retractable or fixedprotrusion extending from the floor or ball support surface 29 ofdeployment trough 22, a retractable or fixed protrusion extending fromone or both sidewalls 41 a, 40 b; or other devices, or combinationsthereof.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of the invention with a bracket 43attached to inside wall surface 40 a′ of deployment trough 22. Bracket43 is attached at a first end 43′ to sidewall 40 a. A second end 43″ ofthe bracket 43 is unattached and extends into gap 42 a between sidewalls40 a, 40 b. Bracket 43 is preferably flexible and resilient. As such, itis naturally biased to extend into gap 42 and return to that positionafter being deflected. When soccer ball 28 is moved towards deploymentopening 42, ball 28 overcomes the natural bias of bracket 43, therebylaterally deflecting unattached end 43″ of bracket 43 towards sidewall40 a. This action sufficiently increases gap 42 a for passage of ball 28past bracket 43 and through deployment opening 42. Alternately, a ropeor other device connected to unattached end 43″ (passing over or throughsidewall 40 a, if needed) may be used to deflect bracket 43 towardssidewall 40 a to enlarge gap 42 a and allow ball 28 to pass.

FIG. 7 shows training device 20 in a collapsed storage configuration. Insome arrangements, training device 20 is configured to collapse from itsoperational configuration (as seen in FIGS. 1-2) to a storageconfiguration for easy storage and transportation. The storageconfiguration may be of any form that reduces the overall size oftraining device 20. For example, in an embodiment shown in FIG. 7, theplurality of adjustable legs 24 are folded to align with base 25 ofdeployment trough 22. In other arrangements, adjustable legs 24 aredetached from base 25 of deployment trough 22 and stored in a cavity 29of deployment trough 22 between sidewalls 40 a, 40 b (i.e., the cavityin which soccer balls 28 are retained). In the embodiment shown in FIG.7, release guide 26 is detached from deployment trough 22 and stored incavity 29 of deployment trough 22. In other arrangements, release guide26 remains hinged to deployment trough 22 but folds to be stored incavity 29 of deployment trough 22.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed herein, the above description is merely illustrative. Furthermodification of the invention herein disclosed will occur to thoseskilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed tobe within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A soccer training device comprising: a deployment trough defining aball support surface for supporting a plurality of soccer balls, atleast one sidewall, a deployment opening, and a back end opposite thedeployment opening, the at least one sidewall of the deployment troughconstructed and arranged to restrain the plurality of soccer ballsbetween the back end of the deployment trough and the deploymentopening; a plurality of legs connected to the deployment trough, theplurality of legs constructed and arranged to suspend the deploymenttrough at a height above ground level, the plurality of legs includingat least one front leg proximate to the deployment opening and at leastone back leg proximate to the back end; and a release guide connected tothe deployment trough proximate to the deployment opening, the releaseguide extending from the deployment trough and having a rolling surface,the release guide constructed and arranged to guide each of theplurality of soccer balls from the deployment trough to the ground alongthe rolling surface.
 2. The soccer training device of claim 1, whereinat least one of the plurality of legs is pivotably connected to thedeployment trough.
 3. The soccer training device of claim 1, furthercomprising at least one legs coupler fixedly attached to the deploymenttrough, wherein at least one of the plurality of legs is pivotablyattached to one of the at least one legs coupler.
 4. The soccer trainingdevice of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of legs has anadjustable length.
 5. The soccer training device of claim 4, wherein theadjustable length is fixed with a device selected from the groupconsisting of a threaded collar, a threaded bolt, a threaded nut, a pin,a locking lever, a spring-loaded plunger, and a clamp.
 6. The soccertraining device of claim 1, further comprising a removable anglerestrainer connected between two adjacent ones of the plurality of legs.7. The soccer training device of claim 6, wherein the removable anglerestrainer is selected from the group consisting of a rope, a chain, abar, and a flexible ligature.
 8. The soccer training device of claim 1,wherein the release guide is selected from the group consisting of aramp, a chute, a tube, and a plurality of parallel bars.
 9. The soccertraining device of claim 8, wherein the release guide connects to thedeployment trough with a device selected from the group consisting of ahinge, a bracket, a catch, a hook, and a fastener.
 10. The soccertraining device of claim 1, further comprising a ball gate connected tothe deployment trough proximate to the deployment opening, the ball gatebeing adjustable between an open position, wherein the ball gate blocksthe deployment opening to the plurality of soccer balls, and a closedposition, wherein the deployment opening is open to the plurality ofsoccer balls.
 11. The soccer training device of claim 10, wherein theball gate is capable of adjustment between the open position and theclosed position with a device selected from the group consisting of arope, a string, a chain, a lever arm, and a radio-controlled switch. 12.The soccer training device of claim 1, further comprising a ball-stopdevice connected to the deployment trough, wherein the ball-stop deviceis configured to inhibit passage of the plurality of soccer ballsthrough the deployment opening.
 13. The soccer training device of claim12, wherein the ball-stop device is selected from the group consistingof a protrusion, a ridge, a bracket, a fringed member, and a narrowedgap between opposing sidewalls.
 14. The soccer training device of claim12, wherein the ball-stop device is selectively adjustable between anactive position, wherein the ball-stop device engages at least one ofthe plurality of soccer balls, and an inactive position, wherein theball-stop device does not engage the plurality of soccer balls.